Ukraine and NATO strengthen their ties with new agreements 42509153

Posted On
Friday, 25 September 2015 15:04

Defence & Security News - (NATO)

Ukraine and NATO strengthen their ties with new agreements

Ukraine and NATO expanded their defence ties by signing new agreements on Tuesday. During NATO General Secretary’s visit to Kiev, the two sides agreed on the support of the country’s Armed Forces. However, Ukrainian officials were clear on the fact that they will pursue a full membership status within the Alliance.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, and Oleksandr Turchynov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine sign the bilateral agreements before the Ukrainian Prime Minister Petro Poroshenko (Source: NATO)

Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO General Secretary, signed an agreement for the establishment of a NATO Liaison Office and NATO Information and Documentation Centre, privileged will full diplomatic rights.

He stated that Ukraine could rely on NATO for a political and security support. He stressed that the Alliance supports the country’s independence, its territorial integrity and the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements as the only way out of the crisis.

Furthermore, the agreements will enhance the interoperability of the militaries, will lead to the provision of advisors who will help Ukraine reform its Ministry of Defence and the General Staffs, and the defence industrial sector to better support its military modernization. A separate agreement involved the provision of support in the field of Communications.

NATO has set up five Trust Funds that already run. The projects that have been developed are in the areas of cyber defence, logistics, medical rehabilitation, C2 and military career transition. Finally, the two sides train together in military and civilian tasks.